The three provincial governments may be dissolved two days ahead of the scheduled date of November 20 as the government wanted the caretaker set ups in place there as quickly as possible.
Sources told Business Recorder on Friday that dissolution of the governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan could be earlier than the stipulated time as the federal government is keen to have caretaker set-ups at central and provincial levels. The NWFP is already having the caretaker set up with Shamsul Mulk as the Chief Minister.
According to the sources, the earlier dissolution of the provincial assemblies could pave the way of announcing the election schedule for general elections by the election commission. The federal government is of the view that general election announcement could have some positive impact on flared up anti-Musharraf situation.
The government expects that elections schedule could divert the attention of the anti-Musharraf parties towards general elections. Some aides close to Musharraf are advising that general elections should be held quickly. Some of the aides are of the view that polls should be held in the last week of December, according to the sources.
They said that the situation was not going in Musharraf's favour. The opposition is getting more and more attention both within and outside the country. In such a situation, the government would not be able to calm down the protests by using force against the demonstrators.
The PML (N) and the PPP along with some regional parties are getting closer to an understanding to oust Musharraf. The government is losing moral authority, the sources said. There is general perception that elections under emergency could not have any credibility and if Musharraf tries to hold them under the PCO, then he must act quickly, the sources said.